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Completed TRL 4
The central goal of this effort was to create a radioluminescent gaseous tritium light source (GTLS) polymer material capable of surviving multiple space environments that can be used for long term self-powered lighting. Applications for lunar surface exploration was the focus of this phase of development.
This work utilized material test specimens developed in previous projects funded by two Center Investment Fund (CIF) Awards (FY22 and FY23). This phase of the project was funded by a Technology Investment Program (TIP) Award (FY24). The intent was to advance the TRL from a 4 to a 6 through testing, creating additional test materials, and developing a prototype. After running basic mechanical testing and environmental testing, a final candidate would be chosen for advanced testing.
Project Results and Conclusions
Previous samples made of silicone were to be tested in this phase. In addition to material and environmental testing, the intent was to include samples as a part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment 18 (MISSE-18) in order to measure the effects of low Earth orbit on the polymer as well as any effects on the lights.
However, after performing a vacuum bake-out of the samples in preparation for the MISSE-18 flight, the International Space Station (ISS) required liquid scintillation counting measurements of samples to determine if and how much radioactivity was present. Testing found readings above acceptable ISS threshold, and it was decided to fly the polymers without the lights on a future MISSE flight.
Additionally, silicone proved to be difficult to work with, and it would be difficult to produce and distribute a ready-to-use product as the silicone epoxies come as a two-part mix. Because of this, the decision was made to discontinue working with the silicone samples.
A NeXolve polyimide film and resin which can be bonded and cured at room temperature was chosen as the next material to investigate. Proof of concept was achieved by developing a polyimide film containing the tritium lights. A strip of four disk lights and a strip of three disk lights were made using the polyimide film and resin. This material cures at room temperature and is easier to prepare than a two-part silicone. The material made a flexible strip that was strong enough to contain the lights and did not tear as the material was manipulated. Forward work involves applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the back of a strip of the polymer lights and applying to a piece of mockup hardware to evaluate its ease of application and to assess how well the tape illuminates the area. Additional material, environmental, and optical tests will also be needed to evaluate the tape and pressure sensitive adhesive to determine how well the material will perform in a lunar surface environment.
A three-layer stack up of the polyimide film and a "faux" light sample consisting of a quartz disk bonded between two bonded layers of polyimide will be flown on MISSE-21. The tritium lights are made of borosilicate glass. The quartz acts as a stand in for the lights to measure how the film/resin/glass perform in space.
While this is a viable technology and shows promise, research has currently been halted. After working with the Radiation Safety Office (RSO) for several months, it was determined that the project would need a much larger budget and more manpower in order to maintain compliance with all that the Nuclear Regulation Commission requires to carry out research involving radioactive materials. Spaces in which gaseous tritium light sources were handled underwent a decommissioning process, and tritium will be removed from the MSFC nuclear license.
Areas of application for this material to provide long-term, self-powered illumination include navigation trails while traversing the lunar surface, illuminating targets for landing/docking operations and locations, safety measures such as on handrails, and lighting instrument panels or control packs. Potential applications:
HLS/SLD/SLT (Crew & Cargo)
Entry, Descent, Landing
Extra Vehicular Activity
Sustained Living
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